How To Start Your Curly Hair Journey
- Amber Caceres
- Feb 14, 2020
- 3 min read
Hey guys! In my previous post I talked about some things that you should know before starting your natural journey. Choosing to go natural is a personal decision that takes time and care to achieve. Before you get started, it is important to gather the right information and products that will best suit you. To get started, I will be listing different sample products that I recommend for newbies. These are just suggestions so if you find a product you really love and that works for you go for it!
Sulfate Free Shampoo:
Curly hair tends to be dryer and needs a lot of TLC in order for it to grow and strengthen. I suggest picking up a shampoo that is free of sulfates and parables. In my previous post, I go into detail about different harmful chemicals to avoid. Shea Moisture Curl and Shine Shampoo is a great beginner product I used after my big chop.
Moisturizing Conditioner:
When you have naturally curly hair, you’re going to need a lot of moisture to maintain a shiny healthy look and feel. This will also prevent breakage and minimize frizz. This conditioner has silk proteins and Neem Oil that provides moisture and shine while protecting the curls.
Deep Conditioner:
Natural Curly hair is prone to dryness so deep conditioners are essential. You can use this once a week or anytime you wash your hair. I usually deep condition my hair once a week to maintain moisture and to avoid breakage. You can apply it after shampooing and leave it on for 30 minutes to an hour so it can penetrate into your scalp. I love this deep conditioner by Shea Moisture, it is definitely one of my holy grail products I highly recommend.
Leave in conditioner:
Miss Jessie’s is another great curly hair line that I live by. They have a variety of products that suits every curly hair type and actually works! When it comes to your leave in conditioner you want to use something watery in texture that won’t weigh your hair down. This leave in conditioner from Miss Jessie’s has a silky consistency to give your hair some life and moisture after a wash.
Styling Cream and Gel:
Styling Creams and Gels help enhance your curls while keeping them intact after a wash day. These products help prevent frizz and add shine. This custard from Miss Jessie’s works as both a cream and a gel in one. It has a gel consistency.
Some Tools you will need:
Denman Brush
This is by far my favorite detangling brush. I used to untangle my hair with a wide tooth comb and it would take forever to get the knots out. The Denman brush has smooth bristles without little balls at the end which are known for ripping hair out even more. No matter how tangled my hair is the Denman brush makes life easier on wash day.
Hair Bonnet
Hair bonnets are essential for curly hair girls to keep your curls intact overnight. Sleeping on cotton pillows causes friction with your hair which results in frizz. The bonnet protects the curls from deforming. Some people like to use silk pillow cases to solve this problem too.
Spray bottle
This is a must have tool! When styling your hair after a wash, your curls can dry quickly so having a spray bottle with water on hand will help you keep your hair wet while applying your products. You can also use a spray bottle to refresh your curls instead of wetting your entire head.
Now that you know what you need to start your journey, here is how you start
First, hide your blow dryer, flat iron, and curling iron! You will NOT be needing them anytime soon. A curly hair journey and heat appliances do not mix! If you want healthy looking curls you cannot apply heat to your hair to begin this process. Down the line when you feel confident enough with your curls you can use heat protectants to style your hair. But in the meantime it is a no go.
Wash your hair 2 to 3 times a week depending on how oily your hair gets. I like to wash my hair twice a week while deep conditioning once a week. I also air dry my hair, some people like to use a diffuser (optional) but to avoid heat, air drying is your best option. You will also need to wear your hair out as much as possible. Styling your hair in buns and tight up-dos will promote breakage and hair loss. Letting your curls loose will give you the best results! Once you get into your curly hair routine it will become second nature to you.
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